About the Grand Commandery of Maryland

The Order of Knights Templar began being conferred in the second half of the 18th century in Maryland, leading to Maryland Encampment No. 1 (eventually Maryland Commandery No. 1) being instituted in 1790 at Baltimore. Maryland Commandery, No. 1 is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Commandery of Knights Templar in the United States.

On December 12, 1870, three Commanderies; Maryland No. 1, Baltimore, No. 2, and Monumental No. 3, met in Convention at the Masonic Temple in Baltimore, and resolved to form a Grand Commandery for the State of Maryland. The Grand Encampment was then notified and a warrant for the formation of the Grand Commandery of Maryland was requested. The Grand Commandery of Maryland was duly constituted and its officers installed on January 23, 1871 in Baltimore.

Membership in the Knights Templar is open to men who are Master Masons, as well as members of a Royal Arch Chapter and a Royal & Select Masters Council.  Knights Templar is a Christian order, and members vow that if called upon, they will wield their swords in the defense of the Christian religion. The Order of the Temple is one of the most poignant and meaningful degrees in all of Freemasonry.

The Knights Templar contains three Degrees called Orders which elucidate a Christian interpretation of Freemasonry

• The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross illustrates the preparations for building a second Temple.
• The Order of the Knights of Malta (or simply Order of Malta) explains the history of the Knights of Malta, relates the story of Paul’s arrival on the island of Malta. It is a Christian Order that seeks to perpetuate ideals of love and mercy.

The Order of the Temple. The Order of Malta and the Order of the Temple have a Christian orientation and their teachings are based on the crusades of the original Knights Templar.

• The Knights Templar is based upon the practice of the Christian virtues, moral values, and spiritual lessons. Members are urged to live their lives as Christian Knights.

The rich history of York Rite Masonry is undeniable. The York Rite is historically the oldest and purest of the appendant Rites. Every Master Mason should be fascinated by the lessons and mysteries of Freemasonry provided by the Blue Lodge. Hopefully, all Master Masons will consider those lessons and mysteries available in the York Rite of Freemasonry — in order to complete their Masonic knowledge and the teachings that are mentioned as landmarks of a Master Mason. All brother Masons should be advised to continue their historical and educational view of Masonry. Every Master Mason should be a member of the Royal Arch, and every Christian Mason should be a Knights Templar.